My Great-Grandpa Gillespie’s youngest sibling, Grace died at the age of 21 from TB. The Newspaper described her as “Very popular among a wide circle of acquaintances for her vivacious, cheerful and friendly disposition.” 

Her Obituary in the Danville Commercial News for Tues, Feb 16, 1926 reads:

Grace Gillespie Called By Death

Passes Away At Her Home Following Long Illiness; Funeral Wednesday

Following a long though losing battle of 10 months with tuberculosis, Miss Grace Louise Gillespie, 21, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lovell Gillespie, died at 4 o’clock Monday afternoon at the family residents 604 North Hazel St.

Miss Gillespie, who had been employed in the business office of The Commercial News, as a clerk in the circulation department, had to give up her position last April; following two brief periods of illness which were believed to be fatigue. It later was found that she was a sufferer of tuberculosis.

Shortly after becoming ill, Miss Gillespie was placed in Lake View hospital, where she remained until a bungalow on the shores of Lake Barlow, near Alvin could be constructed for her by her father, a well-known building contractor. Not doing very well there, she was taken to Riverton, near Springfield, during the late summer months and placed in St. John’s sanitarium where she was under the care of the sisters until a short time before the Christmas period, when she was permitted to come home, not so much on account of her improved condition but to overcome home sickness. Apparently she was doing well until Saturday, a week ago, when on returning home from a theatrical performance, she had a severe attack.

Funeral Wednesday

Funeral services will be held at the family home at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, with Rev. Thurman E. Shouse officiating. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be chums of her two brothers. The body which has been taken to the Mater & Salladay undertaking parlors, was removed to the home Tuesday afternoon to await the funeral hour.

Grace Louise Gillespie was born in Danville, Oct 21, 1904. The third and youngest child and only daughter of Lovell and Isa Cass Gillespie. She attended the grade schools, entered Danville High School and had been there about a year when she withdrew to accept the position with The Commercial News. She was a member of the Iota Beta Phi and was awaiting initiation in the auxiliary of the American Legion when taken serioulsy ill.

She is survived by her Parents, by 4 Grandparents, Mr and Mrs. Charles H. Gillespie of Alvin and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Cass of Trenton, and by two brothers, Phil and Harold Gillespie.